Red alert
NFC East
As published in print Dec. 6, 1999
Arizona Cardinals|Dallas Cowboys|New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles|Washington Redskins
AFC East | AFC Central | AFC West
NFC East | NFC Central | NFC West
|
| Arizona
Cardinals |
| The Cardinals have used a lot of different strategies inside the red
zone. But what they really like to do is roll out QB Jake Plummer and let his
improvisational skills take over. When outside the pocket, Plummer is a threat to throw
for a score or run for a score. |
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| Dallas
Cowboys |
| The Cowboys have been very successful inside the the opponent’s 20
in terms of touchdowns scored per red-zone possession. When they drive inside the 20, the
Cowboys don’t have a bread-and-butter play. Instead, they run a pretty balanced mix
of running and passing plays. Of their 19 red-zone touchdowns, nine have been scored on
passes compared to 10 on the ground. Because Emmitt Smith has been running so effectively
this season, teams must always respect Dallas’ ground attack. That, in turn, has
allowed TE David LaFleur to slip by the defense and get open in the endzone. All five of
LaFleur’s touchdowns have been scored from inside the 20. |
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| New
York Giants |
| When the Giants get inside the red zone, they tend to look for TE Pete
Mitchell, whose role in the offense has increased in recent weeks. He is skilled at
finding open spaces in the endzone. The Giants haven’t run the ball that frequently
inside the 20 because of all the troubles they have had at the RB position this season,
although they did have two red-zone rushing touchdowns last week. |
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| Philadelphia
Eagles |
| The first problem the Eagles have is that their offense hasn’t been
very dependable this season. That has led to few trips inside the 20-yard line. When they
do breach the barrier, the Eagles often look to RB Duce Staley, their only dependable
offensive weapon. Let’s face it: They don’t have many other options. The
Eagles’ wide receivers and tight ends haven’t been overly dependable, but then
again, neither have the quarterbacks. Doug Pederson didn’t set the world on fire
before he was benched, and rookie Donovan McNabb is still learning on the job. |
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| Washington
Redskins |
| The Redskins have been outstanding in the red zone this season, and most
of the credit should go to the versatile offensive attack head coach Norv Turner is
running. The Redskins have been successful throwing and running the ball. They are even
diverse in terms of which direction they run. RB Stephen Davis, who has been a scoring
machine this season, can run behind the beefy right side of the line, which is anchored by
ORG Tré Johnson and ORT Jon Jansen, or Davis can run left, as the Redskins sometimes
choose to pull Johnson to that side. |
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|
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